The Bitterroot River is considered one of Montana's finest dry fly fisheries, flowing 84 miles north through the scenic Bitterroot Valley from Conner to its confluence with the Clark Fork below Missoula. Bracketed by the Bitterroot Mountains to the west and Sapphire Range to the east, the river averages about 700 trout per mile, with fish over 23 inches caught annually. The upper river south of Hamilton holds over 1,700 trout per mile, dominated by pure-strain westslope cutthroat that readily take dry flies. Rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout inhabit the lower and middle sections, with some larger browns lurking in the slower water near Missoula. The Skwala stonefly hatch in March kicks off the dry fly season, followed by prolific mayfly, caddis, and stonefly hatches through fall. The river's relatively shallow average depth makes it excellent for wading, while numerous braids and side channels create diverse holding water.